Running in the UK is booming – and if you live in London, you’ve probably been a part of it or at the very least seen it.
From sunrise laps around Victoria Park to after-work Thames Path graft, more people than ever are lacing up. Run clubs are packed. Race entries are selling out. Strava feeds are non-stop.
So what’s going on? And why is London at the centre of the UK running boom?
In 2025, around 40% of the UK population run at least once a week, with 27% running one to three times per week – that’s up about 5% in just a year.
Why?
It’s low-cost and low-barrier. Surveys show millions of adults regularly run or jog, making it one of the UK’s most popular physical activities.
The NHS Couch to 5K app logged over 9.3 million runs in 2024, with record downloads and completions – clear proof that beginners aren’t just starting, they’re sticking with it. Scroll Instagram on any given day and it’s near impossible not to see a Strava screenshot clocking someone’s latest 5K, 10K or long Sunday slog.
And the appetite doesn’t stop at social miles. A record-breaking 1,133,813 people entered the ballot for the 2026 TCS London Marathon – a 35% jump year on year. It smashed the previous world record for marathon ballot entries and left hopeful runners facing odds of less than 5%.
Whether it’s sharing your latest run with mates online or turning miles into a catch-up, running isn’t just about health stats. It’s about the buzz of finishing, the shared graft, and the social energy that comes with it.
Gymbox Run Club is live at Elephant & Castle, Finsbury Park and Ealing, built for every kind of runner. First 5K? Building back consistency? Training for a race? There’s space for you.
Each session follows a coached 5K route, with pacers to match different speeds. No one gets dropped. No one gets held back. You run at your pace – just with better company.
It’s structured enough to help you improve, but relaxed enough to keep it social. Expect solid graft, proper encouragement, and that post-run buzz you don’t get from logging treadmill miles alone.
We couldn’t leave you without recommending some running spots in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
A couple of the obvious ones come in the shape of Hyde Park. With its flat, wide paths and multiple loop options, it’s ideal for tempo runs and beginners alike. You can keep it short or stack a few laps if you’re building distance — all while taking in the scenery that makes Hyde Park one of London’s best places to run.
The Thames Path will ensure you see all if not most of London’s major landmarks. And also, who doesn’t love running by a river? Sunset miles here hit differently.
If you’re up for a longer run – and fancy a reward at the finish – there’s the Bababoom Kebab Chase, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month.
Sounds a bit rogue, but hear it out.
Runners set off from the Bababoom restaurant in Battersea and make their way across London to their Westfield Stratford spot. Complete the run and you’re rewarded with a free kebab at the end.
Not a bad incentive for putting the miles in.
And the finish line works out pretty nicely for Gymbox runners too. Gymbox Stratford sits just around the corner, making it the perfect place to stretch out, cool down and make use of the recovery facilities after a solid cross-city graft.
From packed race ballots to run clubs popping up across the capital, one thing’s clear: London has well and truly caught the running bug. Whether you’re chasing your first 5K, building towards a marathon, or just looking for a new way to move and meet people, there’s never been a better time to start.
And if you want a crew to run with along the way, Gymbox Run Club is ready when you are.
